Notes For Monday, November 18, 2002

More on the Johnny Byrd Record: Our new speaker of the house:

- A "staunch" and "strict conservative".

- Byrd "made his early legislative mark as chairman of a House committee that crafted new legal limits that protect corporations from a host of product liability, negligence and personal-injury lawsuits."

- A "fervent opponent of taxes and government." Byrd is "unbending in his opposition to higher taxes, no matter what budget pressures may build."

- A "prime sponsor of the Florida Defense of Marriage Act."

- Sponsored an ''affirmative-action bill for faith-based organizations" (Byrd's words) aimed at requiring state agencies to contract with religious groups for services.

[Sources: Wallsten and the Orlando Sentinel] Another article. 9:35 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

King vs. Byrd: "The contrasts between Sen. Jim King of Jacksonville and Rep. Johnnie Byrd of Plant City are likely to grow sharper once the two take control of the new Republican-packed Florida Legislature this week." [read] 9:01 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

Privatization Problems at DCF: "A chintzy private system will have the same failings as a cheap public one, private leaders say." [read] 8:58 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

More On The "Yes" To Bush and The Class Size Amendment Dynamic: "Statewide, Hillsborough and Duval were the only large counties to oppose the amendment, and most voters there backed Bush. Democrats in Palm Beach and Broward counties won on both fronts. Three major counties, however, had split decisions. Orange, Pinellas and Miami-Dade all supported Bush and the amendment." Is there something here the Dems can exploit? [read] 8:55 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]